More than a decade has passed since the world was awoken by the publication of the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) report. Now, a new book takes stock of what has been achieved since the release of that ground-breaking “Agriculture at a Crossroads” report. Co-publishers Benny Haerlin and Hans R. Herren use empirical evidence and rational argument to sharply criticise the current dominating food systems whilst simultaneously providing evidence that a real paradigm shift has emerged and that change is happening all over the globe.

In their contribution, Philip H. Howard and Mary K. Hendrickson present a worrying update on the state of the dramatically accelerating corporate concentration in global food and agricultural input and trade industries and its impacts on farmers and rural livelihoods.